Iceland should get a result away to struggling Macedonia

Nordic nation evens to take advantage of the Macedonian malaise

There aren’t enough qualifiers taking place to attempt another draw treble so we’ve instead focussed on the glamour tie between Macedonia and Iceland.

Iceland are evens with 888sport to win or draw on the double chance, while they are 5/2 to draw and 7/2 to win. Macedonia have gone six games without a win - during which period they’ve drawn a home friendly with Moldova. In addition, they’ve won just one of their last six home games - against Scotland - while Iceland have lost just two of their last five on the road.

UPDATE: 888sport are also allowing in-running betting on this match, with the double chance now out to 11/10!

Click here for £50 of free bets when opening an 888sport account

Posted: June 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Back Cardiff and Watford to score over 2.5 goals tonight

Bet365 are offering 19/20 on a high-scoring game at Ninian Park

Tonight sees an intriguing battle between fortress and form side as Watford, the best team in the Championship over the last six games, travel to Cardiff, who have lost just twice at home in over a year.

Cardiff are unbeaten in eleven home games, of which they have won eight, but Watford have triumphed on each of their last three visits to the Welsh capital and haven’t lost in eight meetings with Dave Jones’ side. It’s difficult to back Brendan Rodgers’ side outright when the Bluebirds have been so impressive at home but you can cover both the draw and away win on the double chance at 1059/1000 with Ladbrokes.

Posted: March 18th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Chelsea and Liverpool turn to Newcastle for a helping hand

Could Manchester Utd stumble? Here are some straws to clutch…

Last season it was treated as a surprise when a Big Four side stumbled but in recent months Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have tripped up so frequently that it was almost remarkable to see all three triumph last night. In fact, it was the first time in nine attempts since Boxing Day that Chelsea and Liverpool both won their league fixtures. Will Manchester United be unnerved by the fact their title rivals have finally applied some pressure? Probably not but here are a few reasons to believe Newcastle will put up a fight tonight:

» Newcastle have only lost one of their ten home league games since Joe Kinnear first took over, when Liverpool thumped them 5-1 in December.

Posted: March 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Fulham’s “Big Five” unbeaten record is likely to end tonight

Man Utd v Fulham, 8pm, Premier League, Free Bets, Best Odds

If this match was taking place at Craven Cottage, you’d fancy Fulham to take at least a point considering their magnificant home record. Roy Hodgson’s side are unbeaten against the “Big Five” this season but Manchester United currently boast the second highest home points average in Premier League history. Here’s why the champions should justify their 1/4 odds:

» Manchester United have won ten consecutive Premier League home games after drawing their opener against Newcastle. Last season they drew their first match at Old Trafford only to win the next twelve.

» Since that opening day 1-1 tie with Newcastle, Hull have been the only team to score away to the champions in the league this season.

Posted: February 18th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Man Utd are 6/4 to win to nil for the eighth successive game

West Ham/Man Utd, 4pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Manchester United have kept twelve consecutive Premier League clean sheets and have won seven straight matches during that streak but their opponents West Ham have made a habit out of derailing Sir Alex Ferguson’s title bids in the past. Here’s a breakdown of the stats in both team’s favour:

Could West Ham spring a surprise?

» West Ham have won their last two home games against Manchester United and the Red Devils have won on just four of their last fourteen visits to the Boleyn Ground.

» Gianfranco Zola’s side have won their last four home games and are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions. Since losing at Old Trafford in October, West Ham have taken points from all the other Big Four clubs.

Posted: February 8th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments

Mallorca are 14/1 with Bet365 to repeat their May heroics

Barcelona/Mallorca, 8.30pm, Sky Sports 3, Free Bets, Best Odds

Real Mallorca travel to Barcelona for tonight’s Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg hoping to relive their win there last May, when they came back from 2-0 down to become the only side besides Real Madrid and Villarreal to win a league match at the Nou Camp in the last three years.

Bet365 offer 14/1 on the visitors being victorious again but Barcelona haven’t lost a domestic home game since that day, with the Catalan club winning twelve and drawing just two this season. Just last month they overcame Mallorca, who are currently embroiled in a relegation battle and have won just one away game all season, 3-1.

Like Barcelona, Mallorca are unbeaten in this year’s competition which may make the 7/2 available at Paddy Power on them not losing (double chance) appetising. It is also worth noting that while Pep Guardiola’s side are the most successful in the competition’s history, they haven’t reached the final in eleven years and have lost out at this stage in the last two. Bet365 go 15/2 on Mallorca triumphing over two legs.

Posted: February 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment